The Rotunda with Trimmel Gomes

A weekly podcast focusing on the people and stories shaping Florida Politics!

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Bay News 9’s Troy Kinsey provides a behind-the-scenes preview of the face-to-face debate between House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum over “sanctuary cities” and immigration policy. Gomes also talks with Andrew Behrman, president, and CEO of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers as health center officials across the country celebrate two years of renewed funding passed by Congress. At the midpoint of Florida's 60-day legislative session, Politico’s Bruce Ritchie reviews some of Florida’s top environmental policy issues including proposals for offshore drilling championed by guests Dave Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council and opposed by Holly Parker with the Surfrider Foundation. The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, preparations are underway for the immigration debate challenge between Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the likely gubernatorial rivals. The chairman of the Republican Party of Leon County, Evan Power, accuses Gillum of continually playing the race card while Juan Escalante with America’s Voice accuses Speaker Corcoran of trying to gain political points on the backs of immigrants. Gomes interviews the Fair Elections Legal Network’s senior counsel, Jon Sherman, about his challenge to Florida’s felon voter restoration process which resulted in it being declared unconstitutional. Gomes also chats with Taylor Houston with the L-G-B-T-Q advocacy group Pride Fund to End Gun Violence about Senate Bill 740 which would rewrite the state’s concealed weapons law so that people can get a gun license even when their criminal background checks are incomplete.
The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, a closer look at the various sex scandals rocking Florida’s capitol and an examination of Tallahassee's culture from a woman’s point of view. Gomes chats with reporter Allison Nielsen with Sunshine State News who said she received warnings from female colleagues before taking her reporting gig at the statehouse. Gomes talks with Senators Bill Montford and Lauren Book about the scandals about the mood in their chamber. Also, is Florida's legislature lagging behind other states in response to sexual harassment? Lisae Jordan, executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, talks with Gomes about how the Maryland General Assembly is ahead of the country with its rapid response and passage of several laws to help victims of sexual assault. Plus, Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is looking for volunteers. Gomes discusses the program during Florida Senior Day with Gary Franck, a volunteer certified ombudsman.

The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, a look back to the fiery start of the Trump administration from the inauguration to the Women’s March in Washington. Gomes also looks at the impact of Gov. Rick Scott’s failed deal with the administration to keep Florida out of its expanded offshore drilling plan. Susan Glickman with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy claims it was all about politics from the start. Gomes also talks with Alice Vickers with the Florida Alliance for Consumer Protection about how payday lenders in Florida are seeking to skirt new federal consumer protections with state legislation. Finally, Gomes talks with State Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat, about his decision to run for attorney general.
The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Florida lawmakers react to Donald Trump’s alleged “shithole countries” remark including Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Miami) who was in the meeting with Trump. Diaz-Balart plans to focus on bargaining for a DACA deal. Gomes also talks with Joseph Hellweg, associate professor of religion and anthropology at Florida State University about the contributions made to the U.S. by people from the countries identified in Trump’s controversial statements. Gomes then recaps the first week of session and chats with Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg about session highlights and his quest to give voters a chance to amend the constitution to end the practice of allowing write-in candidates to close a primary during an election. The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum welcomes the Florida Legislature to the Capital City and then slams Republican House Speaker Richard Corcoran for proposing a “red herring” to bolster his political future by pushing a ban on so-called sanctuary cities. Gomes also talks with immigrant advocate Juan Escalante with the Group America’s Voice. On the opening of the 2018 Legislature, many women plan to wear black to say #TimesUp to send the same message of solidarity with the #MeToo movement. Plus Gomes talks with Troy Kinsey, a Bay News Nine reporter and president of the Florida Capitol Press Corps about the upcoming Press Skits on January 23.
The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, a closer look at one of the near 900 proposals before the Constitution Revision Commission. Voters could soon decide on a plan by Rep. Jeanette Nunez, House Speaker Pro Tempore, on whether to divert money from anti-tobacco marketing campaigns to the research and treatment of cancer. However, the proposal is facing opposition from public health experts and groups like the American Cancer Society and Students Working Against Tobacco. Gomes discusses the issue with Matt Jordan, government relations director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, one of Sen. Jack Latvala’s accusers goes public and requests armed security for protection during committee week. The Capitolist publisher Brian Burgess tells Gomes the situation involving Rachel Perrin Rogers, a high-ranking Senate aide, will continue to spiral out of control until Sen. President Joe Negron reprimands bullying and intimidation tactics by Sen. Latvala. Also, did Sen Marco Rubio reveal the next step after the passage of the GOP’s tax package is the cut Social Security and Medicare? Finally, Gomes talks with Mike Ruso an adjunct professor of English at the University of South Florida about a survey by the Service Employees International Union showing more than 43 percent of respondents experienced at least three indicators of poverty including taking out payday loans, facing eviction or utility cutoffs. The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, prominent trial attorney and Democratic fundraiser John Morgan announces his departure from the Democratic Party and a possible run for Governor as an Independent. Gomes examines the dangers of media paywalls with First Amendment Foundation president, Barbara Petersen. Plus Gomes checks out Maryland as it becomes the second state in the nation to restrict the routine use of antibiotics in animals. Ellen Silbergeld, professor, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Jordan Cooper, health-care policy expert; and Maryland State Veterinarian Michael Radebaugh tells Gomes what the new law will mean for the fight against antibiotic resistance in humans.
The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, As the Senate lawyers up for sexual harassment allegations against Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, we look at the last sexual harassment scandal to rock the Legislature. Gomes interviews Tallahassee-based labor employment lawyer Rick Johnson, who has focused on sexual harassment cases since 1990. Gomes also interviews Jacobi Bedenfield, president of the Florida College System Student Government Association’s annual rally in Tally event. Plus, two bills filed in the Florida House and Senate would create a dental student loan repayment program to support dentists who practice in a public health program in underserved and rural areas. The bills by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville, and Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, are being praised by dental students and those representing them at the Florida Dental Association. Gomes talks with Dr. Gerald Bird, oral and maxillofacial surgeon and Joe Anne Hart, chief legislative officer, Florida Dental Association. The Rotunda podcast is available each Monday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

Podcast Summary

The Rotunda with Trimmel Gomes: A weekly podcast about the people and issues shaping Florida politics. Join the conversation, tell us your story and interact with us @RotundaPodcast We appreciate your feedback - leave comments!
Website: www.rotundapodcast.com